Los Angeles County
is home to a unique and excessively large concentration of scenic, historic,
entertainment, and transportation venues, including sight-seeing, movie
studios, movie star homes, outdoor entertainment facilities, Griffith Park, the
Hollywood Sign, freeways, and many others, that generate extensive helicopter
activity.

(3)

Los Angeles County
is home to the world’s leading civil helicopter manufacturer that conducts
extensive helicopter operational testing in the region.

(4)

The unique terrain
of canyons and valleys surrounding residential neighborhoods in Los Angeles
County often concentrates high decibel level noise from the low-flying
helicopters in and around residences in Los Angeles County.

(5)

The concentrated
noise interrupts daily life for many Los Angeles County residents by drowning
out conversations and disrupting sleep cycles.

(6)

Despite multiple
efforts from several community and homeowner organizations in Los Angeles
County to address these disturbances, helicopter traffic in Los Angeles County
is not currently regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration or any other
agency.

(7)

At the request of
members of Congress, the Federal Aviation Administration formed an internal
working group in July 2012 to solicit input from local communities and
stakeholders on helicopter noise and safety issues in Los Angeles
County.

(8)

As part of that
process, several public meetings were held in the fall and summer of 2012 that
have allowed the Federal Aviation Administration and stakeholders to hear and
better understand the concerns and complaints of affected residents.

(9)

The Federal
Aviation Administration is scheduled to release a report in May 2013 evaluating
a full set of voluntary and regulatory options to reduce helicopter noise and
address safety issues in Los Angeles County.

(10)

The report should
explore how helicopters can be regulated in Los Angeles County in a manner that
provides relief to residents from helicopter noise while also meeting the needs
of relevant stakeholders, including first responders.

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall
prescribe regulations for helicopter operations in Los Angeles County,
California, that include requirements relating to the flight paths and
altitudes associated with such operations to reduce helicopter noise pollution
in residential areas, increase safety, and minimize scheduled commercial
aircraft delays.

(b)

Exemptions

In
prescribing regulations under subsection (a), the Administrator shall exempt
helicopter operations related to emergency, law enforcement, or military
activities from the requirements described in that subsection.

(c)

Consultations

In
prescribing regulations under subsection (a), the Administrator shall make
reasonable efforts to consult with local communities and local helicopter
operators in order to develop regulations that meet the needs of local
communities, helicopter operators, and the Federal Aviation
Administration.